A Kiss before Dying part 3: Marion

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A Kiss before Dying part 3: Marion

When Marion first meets Bud...

When Marion first meets Bud...

- she shows no interest

- she lies about a business appointment for which she has to leave on time (without even finishing her drink)

When she meets him again at the art museum...

When she meets him again at the art museum...

- they are in a room with two opposing nudes, one standing male and one kneeling female

- Bud talks to Marion while he circles the female statue > suggesting how he circles Marion like a bird around its prey

Chapters 4 + 5 + 6

• Marion is 25, whereas Ellen was 17 when she dated her boyfriend.
• What are Mr Kingship's reasons to doubt Marion's boyfriend Bud? Do you think he is right?
• What does Mr Kingship give his daughter for her birthday? And what does she get from Bud?
• How do we learn about Marion and Bud's intended marriage?

We don't know why he is concerned. Marion seems to think he doesn't like Bud because Bud is poor, or has a lower job or doesn't want her to be happy.

A golden brooch with pearls, whereas normally he would give them a gift-voucher. Bud gives her a corsage of a white orchid and has it delivered to her home address. And after their dinner at the steak house, for which he pays, a set of silver triangular earrings. 

We learn about their wedding from a newspaper article (which is chapter 6)

chapters 7 + 8

• who is the mysterious man trying to get into Leo Kingship's office and how does he finally get in? 
• what has Gant found out about Bud Corliss?
• what has Bud not told Marion?

It's Gordon Gant and he asks his secreatry to pass a note about Dorothy and Ellen. So, it seems he has found out about their murders. 

That he dated/dates all three daughters, one after the other in order to marry one of them. 

That he first went fo Stoddard for 2 years (where Dorothy was a student) and then to Caldwell (where Ellen was)

chapters 9 + 10

"he could introduce her to Marion and her father, and to the surrounding magniicence of Kinship's duplex apartment, knowing that in light of the coming marriage her awe-wiedenedeyes would regard each inlaid table and glittering chandelier as evidence, not of Kinship's capabilities, but of his own." 

Who does Bud want to impress?

Also note the 'pebble in his shoe' Bud is feeling, as he senses that something is wrong between him and Marion. What does he later find out is the matter?

What is the one thing that happens in chapter 10?

his mother whose eyes leap out 'bursting pride' 

Marion has found out (through Gant) about him going both to Stoddard and to Caldwell and she 'lures' him into admitting that. He says he has already told her, but she is sure he didn't. 

Gant breaks into Bud's mother's house and searches it, searches Bud's room and leaves with the strongbox (a mini safe) he finds in it. 

chapter 11: one of the key chapters

• What is in the strongbox?
• What is Marion's reaction when they show her the contents of the strongbox?
• On p196 we find out what is on the paper in the strongbox. What is it? 
• What is Marion's reaction now?

pamplets (similar to brochures), pictures of Bud, documents from the colleges he went to, brochures about Kingship Copper Inc and a sheet of paper. This 'evidence' convinces Mr Kingship that Bud is after his daughter's money, that he is a golddigger. 

She still wants to marry Bud. Thinks he may have been attracted to her for the money first, but now he loves her. 

Bud's notes about Marion's preferences in art, theatre, music, food etc. All information he gathered so he could hook up with her. 

She is devasted and feels betrayed. Apparently no one has ever really wanted her. 

chapter 12
What is the real name of Mr Dettweiler?

1. Dwight Powell
2. Bud Corliss
3. Leo Kingship
4. Gordon Gant

How would you describe the atmoshpere at the end of chapter 12, when the group enters the smelter?

gloomy

dark

grim

industrial

cold

wet

Who leaves the group just before they go up the catwalk in chapter 13?

1. Bud Corliss
2. Marion Kingship
3. Gant Dettweiler a.k.a. Gordon Gant
4. Mr Otto

Find a picture online of a T-shaped catwalk (similar to the one on which they trap Bud?) in chapter 13.

Who is the fourth person to die in the book?

He commits suicide by jumping into the smelting copper. Just as he is about to fall he thinks arrogantly, and they wouldn't have pushed him either - you think anyone can kill?" He still thinks he is powerful and overpowering. 

When Marion cries on the plane and tells Gant it is "Not for him," meaning for Bud, who then is she crying for you think?

herself

The whole disaster of believing to have found the One and then he is not even interested in her, but only in her money.